Married with the Broken Hearted CEO novel Chapter 28

An amusement park is an enjoyable place for people of all ages. There are multiple variety of rides — from being completely soaked in water to riding the extreme rides you can rate from one to ‘will never ride it again.’ 
Music can be heard in the background. 
All different kinds of smells are in the air, from the overly priced food stores to the quacking ducks swimming in the ponds. 
During the hot time of the day, some love to go on all the water rides first to quench the heat. Others went to play in the carnival games that seem hopeless of victory. Meanwhile, others stays in facilities with AC, just like Adira and Chadwick. 
Because they did not want to go on the rides under the scorching sun of afternoon, they decided to go inside the horror house. 
“Do not scream”, that is the name of the house, which is famous for any horror enthusiast. It is one of the scariest horror houses that anyone can find in an amusement park. Those who took the challenge of testing their courage have failed. 
In this horror house, all you must do is to prevent yourself from screaming until you arrive at the exit. If you succeeded, then you’ll get a prize. 
Unfortunately, no one has yet succeeded in the challenge. 
Does it mean Adira and Chadwick went to this place so they can win the prize? 
No. 
They only came there to cool themselves. 
These busy CEO’s have no time to browse on the internet 24/7, and that is why they do not know about this place. 
When Jaymee and her photographer declined to come inside the horror house, Adira and Chadwick did not suspect anything. They thought that the journalist and her aide were just tired from following them since morning. And so, the two left them. 
Chadwick and Adira saw dust, cobwebs, monster pumpkin and dead trees decorated outside the horror house. They nonchalantly ignored the displays and entered the dark place at ease. 
This is not the first time they have visited a horror house. Chadwick experienced it during his high-school days. Adira went once during the school festival in her college days. Asking about their experiences, both will answer that there’s nothing scary going inside a haunted house. 
But today, their perception about the haunted house which they thought was just a child play, will change. 
“It’s cold here. I like it,” Adira said while walking together with Chadwick. 
It is so dark inside, but there’s enough dim light to see each other. 
Chadwick holds the flashlight that the staff gave them before going inside. As he searched around with the flashlight in his hand, he saw a wood sign hanging on the wall. 
“Wait a minute,” he said to Adira. 
Both stopped walking. 
“There’s a sign here. Let’s read,” he suggested. 
They walked closer to the wood sign, and Chadwick read the contents. 
“Good spooky day. Welcome to the ‘Do not scream’ horror house. All decorations and ghosts that you will see inside were designed, arranged, and played with our staff. Please refrain by breaking stuffs.” 
“If we ever break something, we can pay it, right?” Adira murmured from the side. 
Chadwick looked at her. 
Adira stared back at him and smiled. 
With a sigh, Chadwick just shook his head. He stared at the sign again and read it out loud. 
“Before you start, let’s first know the history of this house. The old horror house was built during 1945, during World War three. This is an old house where injured soldiers were treated because there was no available hospital during that time. After the war, the house was restored and sold to another family. However, the second family who stayed at this place noticed that there is something unusual inside the house.” 
Goosebumps appeared on Chadwick’s skin as he read the sign. He shivered, as though ice had replaced his spine. The cold air enveloped his body. The clothing he is wearing could not protect him against the deathly cold. 
Meanwhile, Adira is apathetically standing beside her frightened husband and waiting for the next words she’ll hear. 
“Why did you stop? Read more,” Adira said. 
Chadwick gulped and forged a cough. He does not want to look like a scaredy cat in front of a girl. So, he continued reading the words on the sign. 
“Every night, the family heard sounds of chains and boot steps on the stairway. At 12am, the window of the second room, which they always close before sleeping, went open. And in the kitchen, they heard a sound of crying man. Therefore, the family moved out of the house and since then, no one has lived in this place. Time passed by the modern world came. An amusement park was built near the house. When the management heard about the spooky story of this house, they decided to make this a horror house anyone can visit. Why? Because it is everyone’s quest to solve the mystery of the place. Do not be a coward and wear your courage. It is now the time to explore and survive. If you completed the quest without shouting, a huge prize is waiting.” 
A deafening silence set between them. Then, it was Adira, who broke the silence. 
“Their…” 
Surprised at her sudden response, Chadwick flinched in shock. He was so thankful that the place was dark and that Adira probably did not see him so surprised. 
“Their advertising skill is no joke,” Adira said, pointing to the sign.
“Advertising skill?” Chadwick replied. “You called the advertising? I think the story is real.” 
“Huh? Don’t tell me, you believed that?” 
“It sounds genuine for me.” 
“No way. Why would they use a real haunted house for fun? This is probably a made-up story.” 
“How can you be so sure? There is a real haunted hospital in Japan that the used as tourist attraction.” 
“I still don’t believe it. Wanna go check it online?” Adira suggested. 
“We left our phones before going inside. The staffs asked us to give our phones.” 
“Ahhh, right,” Adira said, nodding her head. “That is probably to keep us from searching. Anyway, we should accept the challenge. Even if my husband is so scared right now.”
“W-Who? M-Me?” 
Chadwick scoffed as he brushed his hair upward, while the other hand holds the flashlight. 
“I am not scared at all,” he said. 
“Really? But you are trembling and stuttering before.” 
“It is because it’s so cold inside,” he defended. 
“Oh? What is that?” Adira pointed at something from afar. 
As soon as Chadwick looked behind, Adira touched his shoulder. 
“...!” 
Shocked, Chadwick almost shouted. He covered his mouth then glared back at his silly wife.
Small laughter burst from Adira. 
“That is not being scary, right?” she teased. 
“I am n-not scared. Just surprise,” Chadwick explained, gritting his teeth. 
“Alright, alright,” she agreed. Adira tapped Chadwick’s shoulder and added, “Thank you for trying your best not to shout.” 
“Why did you try to make me shout? We almost failed the challenge,” he complained. 
“Because I know you won’t shout. Not unless you want me to tease you for a long time.” 
Adira is right. 
There are two reasons why Chadwick tried his best to suppress his shout are because he wants to win the game and he hates it if he appears coward in front of his wife. Chadwick’s pride can’t let the second reason happen. 
“So, shall we begin?” Adira offered. 
She snatched the flashlight from her husband and walked forward. 
The man, who said he isn’t scared, went on her tail while mumbling, “H-Hey, wait for me.” 
The adventure inside the real haunted house began. 
Walking deeply in the dark, they heard absolutely nothing but their breaths and the creaking sounds underneath the floorboards as they walked. A smell of old musty penetrated their nose. 
As they continue jolting carefully inside the jet-black place, and bearing those small swirling mass of dust which looks like bits of snow, a flurry snow created by the light, Adira’s steps halted all of a sudden.
Chadwick, too, ceased his pace while hiding behind her back. 
“W-Why?” he asked. 
Adira put the light on one of the doors in front of them. 
“There’s a door,” she said. 
Chadwick wanted to say that they should not open it but that is the only way they can use. So, he shut his mouth while watching Adira rapped her hands around the door handle and slowly pulled open the unlocked door. 
Eiingggk
The door begrudgingly creaked open. 
The inside looks like what Adira had expected. 
Cobwebs lingered in every way and sharp shadows roamed around the room. The sofa and chairs overturned revealing deep grooves on the ground where they used to sit. Wallpaper lay curled on the floor. A large, jagged hole dug through the wall stood as though daring to enter. Picture frames hung off-centered. Sharp shadows roamed around the room. A misplaced grand bookcase stood in the corner of the room, as if undisturbed for a long time. 
Cautiously, they walk farther into the living room to explore. 
“There’s nothing in the living room except the old paintings on the wall,” Chadwick murmured from behind. 
“Actually,” Adira responded. 
“Yes?” 
“When I looked at the painting before, the man in the painting winked at me.” 
“...!” 
Chadwick almost shouted again in frightened. If only Adira is a man, he might had punched her already. 
Laughing faintly, Adira looked behind to see her husband’s expression. 
“I’m joking,” she said. 
Chadwick glared at her and warned, “Stop it.” 
“Yeah, yeah.” 
They continued walking around.
Weeds and dandelions poked out of the cracks on the walkway. With every heavy step and pressure on the floorboards, they feel as if the house will collapse on top of them. 
“I feel the house will collapse,” Chadwick commented the looked at the moonlight casting a ghoulish glow on the house. 
Of course, the moon that Chadwick saw was a fake moon created by the staff of the facility. Still, it looks so realistic. 
Windows covered with grime and dirt, the fake moonlight struggled to penetrate the darkness in thin thread rays. The house was dead silence except for the intermittent creaks whenever they walk. 
“Nothing to see here anymore,” Adira said. 
“S-So, let’s go and find the exit,” Chadwick suggested. 
“No,” Adira declined. “The sign said that we should not scream to win the challenge. But they also said that we should solve the mystery in the house. So, let’s go to the kitchen.” 
Hopping happily, Adira made her way into the kitchen. 
Chadwick’s eyes misted with tears. He really regretted asking Adira to come inside the horror house. 
‘If only I know that it will be as spooky as this,’ he told himself before he followed her on the way to the kitchen. 
When they arrived at the kitchen, they found an old wooden tables sits in the corner, along with matching chairs. 
Water drips out of the faucet in the corner. 
Tuk. 
Tuk. 
Tuk. 
Adira approached the cabinet to find some clue. 
“H-Hey,” Chadwick was about to stop her. 
But Adira already opened one, and found nothing but more cobwebs. 
“There’s nothing in the kitchen too,” she said.
“I told you,” Chadwick said, as if shouting but in silent way. “Let’s go.” 
Adira looked back at him and asked, “You’re scared right now, aren’t you?” 
“I d-don’t.” 
“You are.” 
“I’m not.” 
“Then why do you want to go out as soon as possible? Didn’t we come inside because it’s hot outside? So, let’s stay here a little longer. We paid a lot for the ticket.” 
“B-But…” 
Einngkkk
The conversation halted when they heard a creaking sound from the side. Certainly, it did not come from their footsteps since they are standing still. 
Slowly, Adira placed the light at the side where they heard the sounds. 
The old and unplugged refrigerator went open without anyone touching it. 
“...!” Chadwick gasped silently. 
It might be one of the staff’s tricks, they both thought. However, a part of Chadwick’s mind feared that it isn’t scripted. He felt anxious to get out of this place. But…
“That… maybe has the answer,” the stubborn Adira said. 
She started to walk towards the fridge. Although Chadwick does not want to join the search, he does not have any choice but to stick closer to her. And so, he followed the brave and excited lady. 
Adira pointed the light inside the fridge. What they saw inside were bags of flood use for blood transmission. 
“Oh my god,” Chadwick whispered in low voice. 
“Many soldiers were treated in this house,” Adira murmured. “So, they put bags of blood, I guess.” 
Hearing that, Chadwick sighed in relief. If the fake bloods are there, that means the fridge did open because of the staff’s trick to make them scream. 
“If they put in the story that many soldiers were treated in this place,” Adira continued, “does it means the ghost in the house are soldiers too?” 
“G-Ghost? What do you mean by ghost? You said that everything is fake and…” 
The two stopped dead in tracks. 
Their heartbeats increased as they intently listened to the crying noise that appears to be getting louder and louder by the second. 
“Heuk, heuk, heuk…” 
It is the sound of the crying man which they read from the sign. 
“T-That… That is a fake sound too, right?” Chadwick asked his wife. He crouched behind Adira as the volume of his pounding heart increases. 
“Heuk, heuk, heuk…” 
“It is the dead soldiers’ cry, I guess,” she said. 
All of a sudden, the crying stopped. 
Chadwick worked up the nerve to peek behind Adira. 
“It stopped already.” 
Adira lifted the light and about to say to Chadwick that they should walk upstairs. But as soon as she lifted the light, a bloody soldier came into their view.